1-(2-carboxyaryl)-4-arylimidazoles and 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles

ABSTRACT

Selected 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-4-arylimidazoles and 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles are useful in making buffer solutions; as picrate dyes; and as plant growth regulators. Exemplary are 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-imidazole and 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Certain 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-4-arylimidazoles and 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles are useful in making buffer solutions; as picrate dyes; and as plant growth regulators.

Prior Art

U.S. pat. No. 3,158,620 disclosed certain 1,3- and 1,4-bis(aryl)pyrazoles for preparing azo dyes. German pat. publication 2,219,702 shows certain 3,5-bis(aryl)pyrazoles as plant growth regulators. U.S. pat. No. 3,541,109 discloses 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)imidazoles for biological activity, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,731 shows 1-alkylphenylimidazoles, also for biological activity. None of the references disclose the compounds of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention embraces a compound of the formula: ##STR1## in which Ar is phenyl, naphthyl, biphenylyl, pyridyl, furyl, thienyl or phenyl substituted with up to two of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, alkyl of 1-5 carbons, methoxyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, methylthio, trifluoromethoxyl, dimethylamino, cyano, acetyl, methylsulfonyl, carbamoyl or sulfamyl;

R is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, methoxyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, methylthio, trifluoromethoxyl or alkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms;

p is 0 or 1;

y is 1 or 2;

A is an acid;

M is hydrogen, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium or magnesium; with the proviso that when M is other than hydrogen, p is 0.

The compounds are useful as buffers, as picrate dyes and as plant growth regulators.

Preferred because of their good plant growth regulant activity are those compounds of the invention wherein Ar is phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, and 3,4-dichlorophenyl.

More preferred are compounds of the preferred scope where M is hydrogen or alkali metal and R is hydrogen.

Preparation of the imidazoles I of the invention is illustrated by the general reaction ##STR2## wherein Ar, R and y have the meanings previously given. An appropriate 4-arylimidazole is heated at reflux with an appropriate 2-bromobenzoic acid in a suitable solvent such as dimethylformamide (DMF). Sodium carbonate in an amount of 2 moles per mole of each starting material and catalytic amounts of potassium iodide and copper powder are also used in the reaction. This procedure follows that given by Johnson et al., J. Med. Chem. 12, 1024 (1969).

The reaction produces some of the isomeric 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-5-arylimidazole by virtue of the tautomerism: ##STR3## The compounds are named as though they are solely substituted 4-arylimidazoles and the invention includes both isomers.

The 4-arylimidazole starting materials in the above reaction are obtained by reaction of the appropriately substituted phenacyl bromide with formamide at reflux temperature, a procedure previously described by Bredereck, et al., Ber., 86, 88, 96 (1953).

Preparation of the triazoles II of the invention is illustrated by the general reaction ##STR4## in which Ar, R and y again are as previously defined. The reaction is essentially the same as general reaction (1) except that a 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazole is reacted with the 2-bromobenzoic acid.

This reaction can also produce some of the isomeric 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-5-aryl-1,2,4-triazole by virtue of the tautomerism: ##STR5##

These compounds are also named as though they were solely substituted 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles and both isomers are included in the scope of the invention.

The 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles used as starting materials in general reaction (2) can be prepared by desulfurization of the corresponding 3-aryl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles with warm dilute nitric acid as follows: ##STR6## The reaction follows that given by Johnson et al. above, and also by W. Marckwald et al., Ber. 22, 568, 1353 (1889); ibid, 25, 2354 (1892).

The intermediate 3-aryl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles can be prepared by a two-step procedure starting with an appropriate aroyl chloride and thiosemicarbazide to produce a 1-aroylthiosemicarbazide intermediate:

    ArCOCl + H.sub.2 NNHCSNH.sub.2 .sup.pyridine → ArCONHNHCSNH.sub.2 (a)

The intermediate 1-aroylthiosemicarbazide can be cyclized by reaction with sodium methoxide in refluxing methanol for several hours; see E. Hoggarth, et al., J. Chem. Soc., 1160, 1163 (1949): ##STR7##

Use of an aroyl chloride with suitable substituents in the synthesis leads to 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles having the desired substituents.

"A" in the general formulas above is an acid which forms an acid addition compound with the imidazole or triazole of the invention. Included are inorganic acids such as HCl, H₂ SO₄ and HNO₃, and organic acids such as acetic, citric and tartaric.

Preferred acids are halogenated aliphatic acids containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, halogenated benzoic acids, halogenated phenylacetic acids, halogenated phenoxyacetic acids, organic sulfonic acids, organic phosphoric acids, and inorganic phosphoric acids. These acids are preferred because the imidazole and triazole addition compounds formed from them are highly active as plant growth regulants and show good oil-solubility. Illustrative of these acids are:

2,3,5-trichlorobenzoic acid

2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid

2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzoic acid

2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid

2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid

2-methoxy-3,5,6-trichlorobenzoic acid

2-methyl-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid

2,5-dichloro-3-aminobenzoic acid

2,5-dichloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid

2,3,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid

2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenylacetic acid

2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorophenylacetic acid

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid

phosphoric acid

methanephosphoric acid

phenylphosphoric acid

Most preferred because of the grass-killing power and ease of preparation of their addition compounds are acids of the formula ##STR8## wherein D is halogen; Y is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or haloalkyl; and Z is hydrogen, halogen or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Illustrative of these acids are:

chloroacetic acid

dichloroacetic acid

trichloroacetic acid

bromoacetic acid

dibromoacetic acid

tribromoacetic acid

trifluoroacetic acid

α,α -dichloropropionic acid

α,α -dibromopropionic acid

α,α ,β -trichloropropionic acid

α,α ,β -trifluoropropionic acid

α,α -dichlorobutyric acid

α,β -dichloroisobutyric acid

α,β ,β-trichloroisobutyric acid

α,α -dichlorovaleric acid

Also preferred because of the high activity of their imidazole and triazole addition compounds as foliage sprays are acids of the formula R'SO₃ H, where R' is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, an aromatic hydrocarbon radical, or a halogen- or alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon radical.

Illustrative of these acids are:

methanesulfonic acid

ethanesulfonic acid

dodecylsulfonic acid

benzenesulfonic acid

p-toluenesulfonic acid

dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid

2,4,6-trichlorobenzenesulfonic acid

naphthalene-β-sulfonic acid

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following are illustrative examples of the invention in which all parts and percentages are by weight and all degrees are Centigrade unless otherwise stated.

General Procedure for Preparing 1-(2-Carboxyaryl)-4-Arylimidazoles Preparation of 4-Arylimidazoles ##STR9##

Using the general proecedure of Bredereck et al. supra, the appropriate phenacyl bromide (0.10 mole) was stirred with formamide (125 ml) at reflux temperature (175°-180°) for two hours. The mixture was poured into 500 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid, and extracted with 2X fifty ml portions of chloroform; the aqueous layer was heated to boiling with decolorizing charcoal, filtered through diatomaceous earth, and the filtrate was cooled and made basic with concentrated ammonia to give the crude imidazole. The crude product was purified by recrystallization or sublimation. Several compounds prepared by this general procedure are given in Table I.

    Table I       4-Arylimidazoles,       ##STR10##       Used in Pre-     paring the  Product Analysis compound of Phenacyl-Bromi      de Structure Calcd found  Example Starting material Ar Yield % Purificati      on MP or BP Formula C H N C H N IR ν.sub.max cm.sup.-.sup.1 UV      λ.sub.max .sup.EtOH (ε.sub.max) NMR δ.sub.ppm        1C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COCH.sub.2 Br.sup.d C.sub.6 H.sub.5               2      4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COCH.sub.2 Br 4-ClC.sub.6       H.sub.4 76 Subl. 170° 140-141° C.sub.9 H.sub.7 ClN.sub.2      60.51 3.95 15.69 60.52 4.2415.20 3460,1480.sup.a 266(18,040) 7.65 (dJ =      9)      (0.5 mm)            C.sub.6 H.sub.4.sup.c                7.30(dJ      = 9)                7.62(a)  H.sub.2                7.28(e)  H.sub.5                 7.08(b)  NH 3 4- 4- 61 Subl. 145° 134-135°      C.sub.10 H.sub.10 N.sub.2       O 68.95 5.79 16.08 68.84 5.91 15.67 3460,1500.sup.a 264(18,640) 8.38(b)       NH.sup.c  CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COCH.sub.2 Br CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6      H.sub.4  (0.1 mm)      68.86 5.90 15.94   7.58(dJ) = 9)      C.sub.6 H.sub.4                6.85(dJ =  9)                7.58(s)      H.sub.2                7.18(s)  H.sub.5                3.72(s)  OCH.sub.3       4 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 COCH.sub.2 Br 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4      65 Subl. 145°  98-100° C.sub.10 H.sub.10 N.sub.2 75.92      6.37 17.71 75.07 6.37 17.33 3460,1510.sup.b 261(16,780) 12.28(s)      NH.sup.c     (0.25 mm)           7.63 (tJ = 1)  H.sub.2      7.60(dJ = 8)                   C.sub.6 H.sub.4                7.12(dj =      8)                7.28(s)  H.sub.5                2.30(s)  CH.sub.3      .sup.a CHCl.sub.3 solution;      .sup.b KBr;      .sup.c CDCl.sub.3 /internal tetramethylsilane      .sup.d purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co.

Reaction of a 4-Arylimidazole with a 2-Bromobenzoic Acid ##STR11##

Using the general procedure of Johnson et al. supra, a mixture of the appropriate 4-arylimidazole (50 millimoles), 2-bromobenzoic acid (50 millimoles), anhydrous sodium carbonate (11.0 g, 103 millimoles), DMF (50 ml), copper powder (0.25 g) and potassium iodide (0.25 g) was stirred under reflux overnight. The reaction mixture was poured into water and acidified to pH 5 with acetic acid, cooled, and filtered to isolate the crude 4-aryl-1-(2-carboxyphenyl)imidazole. The crude product was usually purified by recrystallization from mixtures of ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, and water.

Using the 4-arylimidazoles of Table I in the above general reaction the 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-4-arylimidazoles of Table II were prepared.

    Table II       1-(2-Carboxyphenyl)-4-Arylimidazoles,       ##STR12##        Purification Analysis  Recrystallization Calcd Found  Example Product      Structure, Ar Yield % Solvent       MP Formula C H N C H N IR ν.sub.max.sup.KBr cm.sup.-.sup.1 UV      λ.sub.max.sup.EtOH (ε.sub.max) NMR δ.sub.ppm (dmso      - d.sub.6)        1 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 76 EtOH 235-236° C.sub.16 H.sub.12 N.sub.2      O.sub.2 72.71 4.58 10.60 72.61 4.45 10.68 1700,1590 260(18,760) 11.67      CO.sub.2       H               8.17-6.88(m)               aromatic 2 4-ClC.sub.6      H.sub.4 43 EtOH:dmso:H.sub.2 O 252-254° C.sub. 16 H.sub.11      N.sub.2 O.sub.2 Cl 64.33 3.71 9.38 64.90 4.00 9.30 1705,1600 267(22,940)      8.17-7.27(m)     dec          aromatic 3 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 49      EtOH:dmso:H.sub.2 O 242-243° C.sub.17 H.sub.14 N.sub.2 O.sub.3      69.37 4.80 9.52 68.52 4.88 9.60 1700,1600 263(21,130) 8.17-6.67(m)      dec          aromatic               3.78(s) OCH.sub.3 4 4-CH.sub.3      C.sub.6 H.sub.4 50 EtOH:H.sub.2 O 200-202° C.sub.17 H.sub.14      N.sub.2 O.sub.2 73.36 5.07 10.07 70.08 5.04 10.14 1700,1600 261(20,540)      8.17-6.33(m)     dec          aromatic               2.32(s) CH.sub.3

General Procedure for Preparing 1-(2-Carboxyaryl)-3-Aryl-1,2,4-Triazoles Preparation of 1-Aroylthiosemicarbazides ##STR13##

The general procedure of E. Hoggarth was used (J. Chem. Soc., 1160, 1163 (1949)). A mixture of powdered thiosemicarbazide (18.2 g, 0.20 moles) and dry pyridine (100 ml) was stirred at -5° and treated dropwise with the appropriate acid chloride (0.20 mole). After the mixture had been stirred overnight at 25°, it was poured into 500 ml of water and filtered. The desired 1-aroylthiosemicarbazide was readily separated from the small amount of 1,4-bis(aroyl)thiosemicarbazice by recrystallization.

Several compounds prepared by this reaction are listed in Table III.

    Table III       1-Aroylthiosemicarbazides, ArCONHNHCSNH.sub.2 Used       in   Purifica-      prepar-   tion ing the   Recrys- com-  Product talliza-  Analysis pound      Starting Structure Yield tion  Calcd. Found  of Ex. Material  Ar  %      Solvent MP Formula C H N C H N IR ν.sub.max.sup.KBr cm.sup.-.sup.1 UV      λ.sub.max.sup.EtOH cm.sup..sup.-1 NMR δ.sub.ppm (dmso -      d.sub.6)        5 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COCl C.sub.6 H.sub.5 50-58.sup.a H.sub.2       O 196-198° C.sub.8 H.sub.9 N.sub.3 OS 49.23 4.65 21.53 49.42      4.68 20.75 3270, 3180, 245(17 235) 10.17, 9.17 NH           49.50 4.48      1665, 1600  7.88-7.23 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, NH.sub.2 6 4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4      COCl 4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 65.sup.b EtOH 216-217° C.sub.8 H.sub.8      N.sub.3 ClOS 41.83 3.51 18.30 41.96 3.93 16.60 3610, 3280, 318(4480)      10.5, 9.35 NH           41.76 3.81 16.38 3180, 1675, 245(19,260) 7.93(d      J = 8),              1590  7.53(d J = 8) C.sub.6 H.sub.4      7.67, 3.4 NH 7 3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 COCl 3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6      H.sub.3 44 3:1 167-169° C.sub.8 H.sub.7 N.sub.3 Cl.sub.2 OS 36.38      2.67 15.91 36.96 3.12 14.61 3420, 3240, 290(330) 11.5, 9.48 NH      EtOH:DMSO dec.        3150, 1675, 280(3880) 8.23-7.67 C.sub.6 H.sub.3,      NH.sub.2     DMSO         1615 244(18,000) 8 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4      COCl 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 72 aqu. 230--231° C.sub.9      H.sub.11 N.sub.3 O.sub.2 S 48.00 4.92 18.66 48.16 4.94 18.27 3380, 3260,      254(24,100) 10.25, 9.30 NH     EtOH      47.90 5.05 18.28 3150, 1670,      7.90(d J = 8),             1620, 1605 7.00(d J = 8) C.sub.6 H.sub.4                7.65 NH.sub.2                3.82(a) CCH.sub.3 9 4-CH.sub.3      C.sub.6 H.sub.4 COCl 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 35 EtOH 214-216°      C.sub.9 H.sub.11 N.sub.3 OS 51.67 5.30 20.09 51.70 5.38 19.81 3350,      3260, 274(22,800) 10.15, 9.27 NH,NH.sub.2           51.94 5.47 19.92      3180, 1685,  7.73(d J = 8)              1610  7.17(d J = 8) C.sub.6      H.sub.4                7.57 NH                2.20(a) CH.sub.3      .sup.a A 5% yield of 1,4-bisbenzoylthiosemicarbazide, mp 172-174°      (aq. EtOH) was also obtained.      .sup.b A 50% yield of 1,4-bis(4-chlorobenzoyl)thiosemicarbazide, mp      262° dec (aq. EtOH) was also obtained; NMR spectrum; 5 10.58 (s,      NH); 8.23-7.52 (m, C.sub.6 H.sub.4); 3.35 (NH).

Preparation of 3-Aryl-5-Mercapto-1,2,4-Triazoles ##STR14##

Hoggarth's procedure was followed. The appropriate 1-aroylthiosemicarbazide (0.10 mole) was stirred with methanol (250 ml) and sodium methoxide (16.2 g, 0.30 mole) at reflux temperature overnight. The mixture was evaporated to dryness, the residue was dissolved in hot water, treated with decolorizing carbon, and the filtrate was acidified with acetic acid to give the crude 3-aryl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole. The crude product was usually recrystallized from aqueous ethanol.

Compounds prepared in this way are shown in Table IV.

    Table IV       3-Aryl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles,       ##STR15##        Used in Pre- Aroylthio-  Purification   paring the semicarbazide      Product Recrystalliza- Analysis compound of Starting Material Structure      yield tion calcd. Found  Example Ar Ar % Solvent  MP Formula C H N C H N I      R ν.sub.max.sup.KBr cm.sup.-.sup.1 UV λ.sub.max.sup.EtOH      (ε.sub.max) NMR δ.sub.ppm       (dmso-d.sub.6)                     5 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 90 1      0% EtOH 260° dec. C.sub.8 H.sub.7 N.sub.3 S 54.23 3.9823.72 54.57 4      .09 24.05 1610, 1590 283(9020) 8.00-7.77  2 protons           54.58 3.97      24.01 1570 256(16,475) 7.65-7.33,  3 protons               224(13,270)      3.48 NH 6 4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 4-ClC.sub.6       H.sub.4 78 67% EtOH 294-298° C.sub.8 H.sub.6 N.sub.3 ClS 45.39      2.86 19.85 45.25 2.93 19.67 1610, 1580, 296(9570) 13.33  SH,NH      45.46 2.99 19.98 1560 255(21,380) 8.08(d J = 8)                 C.sub.6      H.sub.4                7.68(d J = 8) 7 3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3      3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 48 aqu. EtOH 294-300° C.sub.8      H.sub.5 Cl.sub.2 N.sub.3 S 39.04 2.05 17.07 39.16 2.08 16.76 1600, 1580      307(8515) 14.03  SH, NH           39.52 2.10 16.76 1550 255(21,830)      8.30(d J = 2)  H.sub.2                8.08(d J = 8,  each member             d J = 2)  H.sub.6                7.85(d J = 8)  H.sub.5 8      4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 67 aqu. EtOH+      260-262° C.sub.9 H.sub.9 N.sub.3 OS 52.17 4.38 20.28 52.52 4.51      20.09 3250, 1620, 283(14,200) 11.33  SH, NH     dmso mixture      52.15      4.52 19.90 1565, 1525 256(21,550) 7.82(d J = 8)                  C.sub.6      H.sub.4                6.95(d J = 8)                3.72(s)  OCH.sub.3 9      4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 86 aqu. EtOH      267-269° C.sub.9 H.sub.9 N.sub.3 S 56.54 4.75 21.98 56.70 4.79      21.61 1620, 1590 285(10,950) 13.77  SH, NH      dec.     56.48 4.83      21.65 1565, 1525 254(18,790) 7.88(d J = 8)                  C.sub.6      H.sub.4               230(14,015) 7.37(d J = 8)                2.35(s)      CH.sub.3

Preparation of 3-Aryl-1,2,4-Triazoles ##STR16##

The general procedure of W. Marckwald, et al. (Ber., 22, 568, 1358 (1889); ibid, 25, 2354 (1892)) was employed. A mixture of 3-aryl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (0.08 mole) and 80 ml of 20-25 percent nitric acid was warmed in a 2-liter Erlenmeyer flask on a steam bath for 10-15 minutes, by which time NO₂ evolution had usually ceased. The mixture was cooled, made basic to pH 9 with concentrated aqueous ammonia, and extracted with chloroform to give the crude 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazole. The crude product was purified by sublimation or recrystallization.

Several compounds prepared in this way are shown in Table V.

    Table V       3-Aryl-1,2,4-triazoles,       ##STR17##        Used in Pre-     paring the  Product Analysis compound of Starting      Material Structure calcd. Found  Example   Ar  Ar Yield % Purification      MP Formula C H N C H N IR ν.sub.max.sup.KBr cm.sup..sup.-1 UV      λ.sub.max.sup.EtOH (ε.sub.max) NMR δ.sub.ppm      (dmso-d.sub.6)        5 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C.sub.6       H.sub.5 73-79 Subl. 150° 108-109° C.sub.8 H.sub.7 N.sub.3 6      6.19 4.8628.95 68.83 4.97 29.66 3440, 1610, 245(14,110) 12.75NH      (0.1mm)      65.86 4.99 29.52 1560, 1520, 242(14,360) 8.17(s) triazole      proton              1470.sup.a  8.13-7.37(m)C.sub.6 H.sub.5.sup.b 6      4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 57 Rexd. 188-189° C.sub.8      H.sub.6 N.sub.3 Cl 53.49 3.37 23.40 53.40 3.51 23.21 1610, 1570,      252(19,400) 8.58(a) triazle proton     EtOH         1495, 1470 248(19,220      ) 8.16(dJ = 9)                 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                7.55(dj=      9 7 3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 69 Rexd.      172-174° C.sub.8 H.sub.5 N.sub.3 Cl.sub.2 44.89 2.36 19.63 39.83      2.40 17.64 1600, 1560, 256(14,600) 8.57(s) triazole proton     EtOH         1540, 1470  8.17-7.87(m)H.sub.2, H.sub.5                7.67(dJ = 9),      each                a doublet J = 2) H.sub.6 8 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6      H.sub.4 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 51 Rexd. 183-184° C.sub.9      H.sub.9 N.sub.3       O 61.70 5.18 23.99 61.70 5.33 24.23 1615, 1580, 256(19,270) 10.03NH      MeOH      61.51 5.34 24.21 1510, 1470  8.43(a) triazole proton           8.00(dJ = 8) 7.07(dj = 8)                C.sub.6 H.sub.4          3.83(a)OCH.sub.3 9 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6      H.sub.4 66 Subl. 160° 152-154° C.sub.9 H.sub.9 N.sub.3      67.90 5.70 26.40 62.48 5.71 27.13 1620, 1570, 249(16,080) 8.57(s)      triazole proton     (0.25 mm)         1510, 1470 245(15,920) 8.07(d J =      8)                 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                7.40(d J = 8)            2.38(a)CH.sub.3      .sup.a IR measured in CHCl.sub.3      .sup.b NMR measured in CDCl.sub.3

Reaction of a 3-Aryl-1,2,4-Triazole with a 2-Bromobenzoic Acid ##STR18##

Using the general procedure of Johnson et al. supra, 2-bromobenzoic acid was reacted with an appropriate 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazole to produce the desired 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles. The procedural steps were as outlined above under reaction B.

Examples of compounds prepared in this way are listed in Table VI.

    Table VI       1-(2-Carboxyphenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles,       ##STR19##         Purification   3-Aryl-1,2,4-Triazole Product Recrystalliza- Analysis      Ex- Starting Material Structure Yield tion Calcd. Found  ample Ar  Ar %      Solvent MP Formula C H N C H N IR ν.sub.max.sup.Kbr cm.sup..sup.-1 UV      λ.sub.max.sup.EtOH (ε.sub.max) NMR δ.sub.ppm      (dmso-d.sub.6)        5 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 57 aqu. EtOH 247° dec.      C.sub.15 H.sub.11 N.sub.3 O.sub.2 67.91 4.18 15.84 67.79 4.23 16.10      3440, 1705 248(19,440) 8.90 CO.sub.2 H           67.90 4.28 16.22      8.17-7.33(m)                 aromatic protons  6 4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4      4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 53 aqu. EtOH:DMSO 246-247° C.sub.15 H.sub.10      N.sub.3 O.sub.2 Cl 60.11 3.36 14.02 57.95 3.35 13.62 1710 257(22,540)      8.5-7.17(m)     mixture dec.          aromatic protons 7 3,4-Cl.sub.2      C.sub.6 H.sub.3 3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6       H.sub.3 35 aqu. EtOH:DMSO 263-264° C.sub.15 H.sub.9 N.sub.3      O.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 53.912.7212.57 53.70 2.93 12.57 1705 261(23,520)      8.33-7.50(m)     mixture dec.          aromatic protons 8 4-CH.sub.3      OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4 39 EtOH 202-203°      C.sub.16 H.sub.13 N.sub.3 O.sub.3 65.08 4.44 14.23 64.87 4.50 14.07 1710      263(22,030) 8.33-7.07(m)      dec.          aromatic, CO.sub.2 H             protons                3.83(s) OCH.sub.3 9 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6      H.sub.4 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 48 aqu. EtOH:DMSO 222-223°      C.sub.16 H.sub.13 N.sub.3 O.sub.2 68.80 4.69 15.05 66.85 4.71 14.60 1700      255(20,950) 8.33-7.00(m)      mixture           aromatic protons            2.35(s) CH.sub.3

Replacement of 2-bromobenzoic acid in reaction B with a substituted 2-bromobenzoic acid gives the correspondingly substituted 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-4-arylimidazoles as summarized in Table VII.

                                      Table VII                                    __________________________________________________________________________          4-Arylimidazole                                                                  Reactant   Substituted   1-(2-Carboxyaryl)-4-                           Example                                                                                Ar        2-Bromobenzoic Acid                                                                          arylimidazole product                          __________________________________________________________________________     10   phenyl       2-bromo-4-methyl-                                                                            1-(2-carboxy-5-methylphenyl)-                                    benzoic acid  4-phenylimidazole                              11   phenyl       2-bromo-4-n-propyl-                                                                          1-(2-carboxy-5-n-propyl-                                         benzoic acid  phenyl)-4-phenylimidazole                      12   2-ethylphenyl                                                                               2-bromo-4-t-butyl-                                                                           1-(2-carboxy-5-t-butyl-                                          benzoic acid  phenyl)-4-(2-ethylphenyl)-                                                     imidazole                                      13   2-methyl-4-chloro-                                                                          2-bromo-4-n-amyl-                                                                            1-(2-carboxy-5-n-amylphenyl)-                       phenyl       benzoic acid  4-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl)-                                                   imidazole                                      14   3-n-butylphenyl                                                                             2-bromo-3-5-dichloro-                                                                        1-(2-carboxy-4,6-dichloro-                                       benzoic acid  phenyl)-4-(3-n-butylphenyl)-                                                   imidazole                                      15   2,5-dibromophenyl                                                                           2-bromo-4-fluoro-                                                                            1-(2-carboxy-5-fluorophenyl)-                                    benzoic acid  4-(2,5-dibromophenyl)imidazole                 16   4-fluorophenyl                                                                              2-bromo-4-iodo-                                                                              1-(2-carboxy-5-iodophenyl)-                                      benzoic acid  4-(4-fluorophenyl)imidazole                    17   3,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                          2,4-dibromo-  1-(2-carboxy-5-bromophenyl)-                                     benzoic acid  4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-                                                        imidazole                                      18   4-n-amylphenyl                                                                              2-bromo-4-methoxy-                                                                           1-(2-carboxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-                                   benzoic acid  4-(4-n-amylphenyl)imidazole                    19   4-isopropylphenyl                                                                           2-bromo-4-trifluoro-                                                                         1-(2-carboxy-5-trifluorophenyl)-                                 methylbenzoic acid                                                                           4-(4-isopropylphenyl)imidazole                 20   3-trifluoromethyl-                                                                          2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3-tri-                       4-chlorophenyl             fluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-                                                  imidazole                                      21   4-nitrophenyl                                                                               2-bromo-4-nitrobenzoic                                                                       1-(2-carboxy-5-nitrophenyl)-4-                                   acid          (4-nitrophenyl)imidazole                       22   4-methylthiophenyl                                                                          2-bromo-4-methylthio-                                                                        1-(2-carboxy-5-methylthiophenyl)-                                benzoic acid  4-(4-methylthiophenyl)imidazole                23   4-trifluoromethoxy-                                                                         2-bromo-4-trifluoro-                                                                         1-(2-carboxy-5-trifluoromethoxy-                    phenyl       methoxybenzoic acid                                                                          phenyl)-4-(4-trifluoromethoxy-                                                 phenyl)imidazole                               24   2,4-difluorophenyl                                                                          2-bromo-3,5-dimethyl-                                                                        1-(2-carboxy-4,6-dimethylphenyl)-                                benzoic acid  4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)imidazole                25   4-iodophenyl 2-bromo-6-ethylbenzoic                                                                       1-(2-carboxy-3-ethylphenyl)-4-                                   acid          (4-iodophenyl)imidazole                        26   4-cyanophenyl                                                                               2-bromo-5-methoxy-                                                                           1-(2-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-                                 benzoic acid  (4-cyanophenyl)imidazole                       27   4-acetylphenyl                                                                              2-bromo-5-methoxy-                                                                           1-(2-carboxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-                                 benzoic acid  (4-acetylphenyl)imidazole                      28   3-trifluoromethyl-                                                                          2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-                              4-nitrophenyl              (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitro-                                                    phenyl)imidazole                               29   4-trifluoromethyl-                                                                          2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-                              phenyl                     (4-trifluoromethylphenyl)imidazole             30   4-bromophenyl                                                                               2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-bromo-                                                phenyl)imidazole                               31   2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                          2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(2,4-                                                    dichlorophenyl)imidazole                       32   4-t-butylphenyl                                                                             2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-t-                                                    butylphenyl)imidazole                          33   3,4-dimethylphenyl                                                                          2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3,4-                                                    dimethylphenyl)imidazole                       34   3-chlorophenyl                                                                              2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3-                                                      chlorophenyl)imidazole                         35   3-methylphenyl                                                                              2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3-                                                      methylphenyl)imidazole                         36   4-cyanophenyl                                                                               2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-                                                      cyanophenyl)imidazole                          37   4-acetylphenyl                                                                              2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-                                                      acetylphenyl)imidazole                         38   4-methylsulfonyl-                                                                           2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-methyl-                    phenyl                     sulfonylphenyl)imidazole                       39   4-dimethylaminophenyl                                                                       2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-di-                                                   methylaminophenyl)imidazole                    40   4-carbamoylphenyl                                                                           2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-car-                                                  bamoylphenyl)imidazole                         41   4-sulfamylphenyl                                                                            2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-                                                      sulfamylphenyl)imidazole                       42   3-dimethylaminophenyl                                                                       2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3-                                                      dimethylaminophenyl)imidazole                  43   3-methyl-4-di-                                                                              2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3-methyl-                    methylaminophenyl          4-dimethylaminophenyl)imidazole                44   3-methyl-4-methoxy-                                                                         2-bromo-5-nitrobenzoic-                                                                      1-(2-carboxy-6-nitrophenyl)-4-                      phenyl       acid          (3-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-                                                    imidazole                                      45   3-chloro-5-trifluoro-                                                                       2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3-chloro-                    methylphenyl               5-trifluoromethylphenyl)imidazole              46   3,5-dichlorophenyl                                                                          2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(3,5-di-                                                 chlorophenyl)imidazole                         47   2-pyridyl    2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(2-pyridyl)-                                             imidazole                                      48   4-pyridyl    2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-                                             imidazole                                      49   1-naphthyl   2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(1-naphthyl)-                                            imidazole                                      50   2-furyl      2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(2-furyl)-                                               imidazole                                      51   2-thienyl    2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(2-thienyl)-                                             imidazole                                      52   4-biphenylyl 2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                          1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-bi-                                                   phenylyl)imidazole                             __________________________________________________________________________

Reaction of a substituted 2-bromobenzoic acid with a substituted 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazole gives the correspondingly substituted 1-(2-carboxyaryl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles as summarized in Table VIII.

                                      Table VIII                                   __________________________________________________________________________          3-Aryl-1,2,4-triazole                                                            Reactant    Substituted  1-(2-Carboxyaryl)-3-                           Example                                                                                Ar         2-Bromobenzoic Acid                                                                         aryl-1,2,4-triazole Product                    __________________________________________________________________________     53   phenyl        2-bromo-4-methyl-                                                                           1-(2-carboxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-                                   benzoic acid phenyltriazole                                 54   phenyl        2-bromo-4-n-propyl-                                                                         1-(2-carboxy-5-n-propylphenyl)-                                   benzoic acid 3-phenyltriazole                               55   2-methyl-4-chloro-                                                                           2-bromo-3,5-dichloro-                                                                       1-(2-carboxy-4,6-dichlorophenyl)-                   phenyl        benzoic acid 3-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl)-                                                   triazole                                       56   2,5-dibromophenyl                                                                            2-bromo-4-fluoro-                                                                           1,(2-carboxy-5-fluorophenyl)-                                     benzoic acid 3-(2,5-dibromophenyl)triazole                  57   3,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                           2,4-dibromobenzoic                                                                          1-(2-carboxy-5-bromophenyl)-3-                                    acid         (3,4-dichlorophenyl)triazole                   58   4-isopropylphenyl                                                                            2-bromo-4-trifluoro-                                                                        1-(2-carboxy-5-trifluoromethyl-                                   methylbenzoic acid                                                                          phenyl)-3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-                                                 triazole                                       59   3-trifluoromethyl-4-                                                                         2-bromo-4-methoxy-                                                                          1-(2-carboxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-                    chlorophenyl  benzoic acid (3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-                                            triazole                                       60   4-nitrophenyl 2-bromo-4-nitro-                                                                            1-(2-carboxy-5-nitrophenyl)-3-                                    benzoic acid (4-nitrophenyl)triazole                        61   4-methylthiophenyl                                                                           2-bromo-4-methylthio-                                                                       1-(2-carboxy-5-methylthiophenyl)-                                 phenylbenzoic acid                                                                          3-(4-methylthiophenyl)triazole                 62   4-trifluoromethoxy-                                                                          2-bromo-4-trifluoro-                                                                        1-(2-carboxy-5-trifluoromethoxy-                    phenyl        methoxybenzoic acid                                                                         phenyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethoxy-                                                 phenyl)triazole                                63   2,4-difluorophenyl                                                                           2-bromo-3,5-dimethyl-                                                                       1-(2-carboxy-4,6-dimethylphenyl)-                                 benzoic acid 3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)triazole                 64   4-iodophenyl  2-bromo-6-ethylbenzoic                                                                      1-(2-carboxy-3-ethylphenyl)-3-                                    acid         (4-iodophenyl)triazole                         65   4-cyanophenyl 2-bromo-4-n-butyl-                                                                          1-(2-carboxy-5-n-butylphenyl)-3-                                  benzoic acid (4-cyanophenyl)triazole                        66   4-acetylphenyl                                                                               2-bromo-4-isopropyl-                                                                        1-(2-carboxy-5-isopropylphenyl)-3-                                benzoic acid (4-acetylphenyl)triazole                       67   3-trifluoromethyl-                                                                           2-bromo-4-iodobenzoic                                                                       1-(2-carboxy-5-iodophenyl)-3-                       4-nitrophenyl acid         (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenyl)-                                             triazole                                       68   4-trifluoromethyl-                                                                           2-bromo-4-methylthio-                                                                       1-(2-carboxy-5-methylthiophenyl)-                   phenyl        benzoic acid 3-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-                                                   triazole                                       69   4-bromophenyl 2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-bromo-                                                phenyl)triazole                                70   2,4-dichlorophenyl                                                                           2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(2,4-di-                                                 chlorophenyl)triazole                          71   3,4-dimethylphenyl                                                                           2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-                                                    dimethylphenyl)triazole                        72   3-chlorophenyl                                                                               2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-chloro-                                               phenyl)triazole                                73   4-methylsulfonyl                                                                             2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-methyl-                                               sulfonylphenyl)triazole                        74   4-dimethylamino-                                                                             2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-dimethyl-                  phenyl                     aminophenyl)triazole                           75   4-carbamoylphenyl                                                                            2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-carbamoyl-                                            phenyl)triazole                                76   4-sulfamylphenyl                                                                             2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-sulfamyl-                                             phenyl)triazole                                77   3-dimethylaminophenyl                                                                        2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-dimethyl-                                             aminophenyl)triazole                           78   3-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl                                                                     2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-methyl-                                               4-methoxyphenyl)triazole                       79   3-chloro-5-trifluoro-                                                                        2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-chloro-                    methylphenyl               5-trifluoromethylphenyl)triazole               80   3,5-dichlorophenyl                                                                           2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3,5-                                                    dichlorophenyl)triazole                        81   3-pyridyl     2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-pyridyl)-                                             triazole                                       82   2-naphthyl    2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(2-naphthyl)-                                            triazole                                       83   3-furyl       2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-furyl)-                                               triazole                                       84   3-thienyl     2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-thienyl)-                                             triazole                                       85   3-biphenylyl  2-bromobenzoic acid                                                                         1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3-bi-                                                   phenylyl)triazole                              __________________________________________________________________________

Utility

The imidazole and triazole carboxylic acids of the invention are useful for the preparation of buffer solutions.

EXAMPLE A

The selected acids listed in Table IX (65-84 mg samples, weighed accurately) were respectively dissolved in a mixture of dimethylsulfoxide (25 ml) and water (10-25 ml) and titrated against 0.09995N aqueous sodium hydroxide using an automatic titrimeter (Metrohm Potentiograph Model E 336). The pK_(a) 's were measured from the half neutralization point on the titration curve, and are listed in Table IX. According to the general theory of buffer solutions (A. I. Vogel, "A Textbook of Quantitative Inorganic Analysis, Theory and Practic," Longmans, Green, London (1948)), the following relationship exists in a dilute solution (0.05- 0.2M) of a weak acid to which small additions of acid or base are made ##STR20##

The pH of the solution is mainly determined by the pK_(a) of the acid, and in general the buffering capacity (ability to withstand pH change upon addition of acid or base) is maintained within the range 1 acid:10 salt to 10 acid:1 salt, a hundred-fold variation of concentration, or a change of two pH units. The buffer ranges of each of the acids is shown in the third column of Table IX. The acids are useful as buffers in weakly acidic solutions.

                  Table IX                                                         ______________________________________                                         pK.sub.a Values of Selected Acids                                              ______________________________________                                         Triazoles                                                                       ##STR21##                                                                     Ar          pK.sub.a Buffer Range (pH Units)                                   ______________________________________                                         C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            5.91     4.9-6.9                                                   4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                4.73     3.7-5.7                                                   4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                        5.48     4.5-6.5                                                   3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3                                                               6.19     5.2-7.2                                                   4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                 4.81     3.8-5.8                                                   ______________________________________                                         Imidazoles                                                                      ##STR22##                                                                     Ar          pK.sub.a Buffer Range (pH Units)                                   ______________________________________                                         C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            4.91     3.9-5.9                                                   4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                5.08     4.1-6.1                                                   4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                 5.59     4.6-6.6                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The picrate salts of the imidazole and triazole carboxylic acids of the invention are useful dyes for selected natural and synthetic fibers.

EXAMPLE B

Fifty-milligram samples of each of the carboxylic acids were dissolved in the minimum volume (5- 20 ml) of warm ethanol and treated with a solution of picric acid (50 mg) in warm ethanol (˜1 ml). The solutions were diluted with an equal volume of water and strips of cloth swatch were immersed in them. These mixtures were held in a water bath at 90° for 10 min, and then the swatches were rinsed with cold water and air-dried. The swatches consist of a woven piece of fabric of total width 12 cm in which thirteen different fibers are incorporated in consecutive strips, each strip being approximately 0.9 cm in width. The fibers and the results on dyeing them with the above mixture are shown in Table X. Visual evaluations are (++) strongly dyed, (+) moderately dyed, and (-) very weakly or not dyed at all.

                                      Table X                                      __________________________________________________________________________                      Ace-                                                                              Acrilan                                                                             Ar-                                                                               Cot-                                                                              Cres-                                                                              Da- Da- Ny-                                                                               Or-   Verel                                                                              Vis-                                    tate                                                                              1656 nel                                                                               ton                                                                               lan 61                                                                             cron 54                                                                            cron 64                                                                            lon                                                                               lon                                                                               Silk                                                                              75  cose                                                                              Wool                __________________________________________________________________________     1,2,4-Triazole                                                                 Picrates                                                                        ##STR23##                                                                     Ar = C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ +   +  ++                  Ar = 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ -   -  ++                  Ar = 4-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                        +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ -   -  ++                  Ar = 3,4-Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                               +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ +   -  ++                  Ar = 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                 +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ +   -  ++                  Imidazole Picrates                                                              ##STR24##                                                                     Ar = C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                            +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ -   -  ++                  Ar = 4-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ -   -  ++                  Ar = 4-CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                 +  +    -  -  -   -   -   ++ -  ++ -   -  ++                  __________________________________________________________________________

The imidazole and triazole compounds of the invention are useful as plant growth modifiers when applied to plants. The compounds are applied to the immediate area where the plant is developing and growing, including preemergence and postemergence application.

Low rates of application of the active ingredient from 0.0028 to 0.9 kilogram per hectare (k/ha) provide a means for regulating the growth of plants: e.g., growth retardation, epinasty, delayed flowering, preventing of fruit set, carbohydrate enrichment and control of axillary growth. At higher rates of application from 11 to 45 kilograms per hectare, compounds of the invention exhibit herbicidal acitivity on some plant species under specific growth conditions. However, on other plant species the compounds are herbicidal at a rate of 2.3 kilograms per hectare or even lower. The actual amount of active ingredient used, of course, must depend on the particular situation, i.e., the actual plant species, its vigor, the time of year and the condition of the soil.

Growth regulant compositions comprise a plant growth regulating amount of a compound of this invention and a carrier, generally with one or more surface-active agents.

The surface-active agent can be a wetting, dispersing or an emulsifying agent which will assist dispersion of the active compound. The surface-active agent or surfactant can include such anionic, cationic and nonionic agents as have heretofore been generally employed in plant control compositions. Suitable surface-active agents are set out, for example in Searle U.S. Pat. No. 2,426,417; Todd U.S. Pat. No. 2,655,447; Jones U.S. Pat. No. 2,412,510; or Lenher U.S. Pat. No. 2,139,276. A detailed list of such agents is set forth in "Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual" (1965) by John W. McCutcheon, Inc.

In general, less than 10 percent by weight of the surface-active agents will be used in compositions of this invention and ordinarily the amount of surface-active agents will range from 1-5 percent but may even be less than 1 percent by weight.

Plant growth regulant compositions can contain, in addition to a surfactant, finely divided inert diluents such as talcs, natural clays including atapulgite clay and kaolinite clay, pyrophyllite, diatomaceous earths, synthetic fine silicas, calcium silicate, carbonates, calcium phosphates, sulfur, lime and such flours as walnut shell, wheat, redwood, soybean and cottonseed.

The amount of the finely divided inert solid diluent can vary widely but will generally range from 10 to 98 percent by weight of the growth retardant composition. The particle size can vary considerably but will ordinarily be somewhat under 50 microns in the finished formulation. Such compositions are prepared by blending the ingredients and grinding in a hammer mill or in an air attrition mill or similar device until uniform powders are obtained which have a particle size smaller than 50 microns. Compositions containing a surface-active agent and a solid inert diluent are preferably wettable powders containing from 25 to 90 percent of the imidazole or triazole compound.

The compounds can also be formulated as high strength compositions in which the active ingredient can be present in amounts ranging from 90-99 percent. The remainder of the composition comprises surface-active agents, preferably in amounts of from 0.2 to 2 percent and diluents, as described above. Such compositions are prepared by blending and grinding the ingredients to obtain a homogeneous powder of fine particle size.

Compositions of these plant growth regulants and inert solid diluents can also be formulated into granules and pellets. In such compositions, the diluent will generally range from 65 to 99 percent and the active ingredient can range from 1 to 35 percent. They can also be used in the preparation of suspension concentrates, e.g., water extendable emulsifiable oil concentrates.

The compound of Example 1, 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-phenylimidazole containing 1 mole of dimethylsulfoxide of crystallization, showed a very strong hormonal effect (epinastic response) in preemergence tests at 2k/ha toward corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, barnyard grass, morning glory, cocklebur and cassia. The emergence of soybean, wild oats, crabgrass, and nutsedge was inhibited. In postemergence tests at 2k/ha, an epinastic response was shown toward bush beans, sorghum, corn, soybeans, wheat, wild oats, rice, morning glory, cocklebur and cassia. The growth of nutsedge was retarded.

The compounds of Examples 2 and 4, i.e., 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazole and 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-methylphenyl)imidazole, showed very strong epinastic responses in preemergence tests at 2k/ha toward corn, soybeans, rice and crabgrass. Toward sorghum, wheat and wild oats, the compound of Example 2 showed a very strong response and the compound of Example 4 a moderate to strong response. In postemergence tests both compounds showed an epinastic response (2k/ha) toward cotton, bush beans, sorghum, corn, and morning glory, and they both showed strong axillary stimulation of soybeans.

The compound of Example 3, 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazole, in postemergence tests at 2k/ha, showed an epinastic response toward bush beans, cotton, sorghum, corn, soybeans, rice, cocklebur and cassia. It also showed axillary stimulation of soybeans, barnyard grass and cassia.

In a similar way the triazoles of the invention are plant growth modifiers. The compound of Example 5, 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole, showed an epinastic response in postemergence tests, 2k/ha, toward sorghum, rice soybeans, and nutsedge, and the growth of wheat, wild oats, and barnyard grass was retarded.

The compounds of Examples 6, 7, and 8, i.e., 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazole, 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazole, and 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole, showed epinastic responses in preemergence tests, 2k/ha, toward nutsedge, cassia, rice, wheat, wild oats, sorghum and corn.

The compound of Example 9, 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole, in both preemergence and postemergence tests at 2k/ha, showed an epinastic response toward sorghum, rice, morning glory, cocklebur, cassia and nutsedge. The growth of bush beans was retarded in postemergence tests. 

I claim:
 1. A compound of the formula ##STR25## in which Ar is phenyl, naphthyl, biphenylyl, furyl, thienyl or phenyl substituted with up to two of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, alkyl of 1-5 carbons, methoxyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, methylthio, trifluoromethoxyl, dimethylamino, cyano, acetyl, methylsulfony, carbamoyl or sulfamyl;R is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, methoxyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, methylthio, trifluoromethoxyl or alkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms; p is 0 or 1; y is 1 or 2; A is an acid; M is hydrogen, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium or magnesium; with the proviso that when M is other than hydrogen, p is
 0. 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein Ar is phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl or 3,4-dichlorophenyl.
 3. A compound of claim 1 wherein M is hydrogen or alkali metal and R is hydrogen.
 4. The compound of claim 1 which is 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-phenylimidazole.
 5. The compound of claim 1 which is 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazole.
 6. The compound of claim 1 which is 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-methylphenyl)imidazole.
 7. The compound of claim 1 which is 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazole. 